Determination of the Purity of Nicotine and Nicotine Salts by Gravimetric Analysis - Tungstosilicic Acid Method

Several methods for checking the purity of nicotine used to calibrate analytical methods have been suggested since the 1920's. At that time the gravimetric method using picric acid was considered the most specific method while that employing tungstosilicic acid was considered most sensitive. However, neither method could be considered completely specific. Since the 1960's, the most commonly used methods are those employing UV-spectrometry and gravimetry using tungstosilicic acid reagents.